Before Banksy, before Shepard Fairey, there was Ron English, the catalytic figure in the advancement of street art away from traditional eighties wild-style lettering and into clever statement and masterful trompe l’oeil based art. For “Mythographic Vicissitudes,” Ron created a series of paintings based on variations on modern mythologies. Applying a sense of reverence to his patented mash of religion, history and art, English gives equal weight to all mythologies, from Jesus to Bigfoot to Expressionism. “Loch Ness Starry Night” depicts the emergence of the monster as seen through the eyes of Vincent Van Gogh. “Bigfoot in the Garden of the Gods” exposes the mythical missing link in his Colorado Springs lair, the epicenter of American hardcore Christianity. Marilyn and a mysterious Mickey Mouse, his face obscured by a gas mask, are bathed in Toulouse-Lautrecian light. And, a portrait of Jesus, the fisher of boys, fills in the messiah’s missing years. The show features new drawings and paintings and “Mythographic Vicissitudes” will be on display at the lower level of the FIFTY24SF Gallery from January 8 - 29, 2009.
Ron English:
www.popaganda.com
FIFTY24SF Gallery
Jan. 8th - Jan. 29th 2009
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Sunday from 12–6 PM and by appointment
Address: 252 & 248 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
